Editor’s note: This is the third in a series running over several consecutive Fridays. It is written by members of the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, which seeks to foster land stewardship in the Gallinas, Sapello and Tecolote watersheds.

Although it has changed through the years, a deep relationship with the land has been felt by the residents and visitors of the Gallinas Canyon. The stories are rich and varied, with many of them rooted in the land, water, fish and wildlife that have been so important to those with a history in the Gallinas Watershed.

SATURDAY SÁBADO
• Rough Rider Motorcyle Rally Dance, 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, March 16 at Plaza Hotel Ballroom. The dance will feature local band Fire and Rain. The raffle drawing for a 2012 883 Superlow Harley Davidson will take place during the dance. Tickets for the dance are $10 single and $15 couples. Raffle tickets are $10 each.

Anita Marie Moss, the director of the non-profit UpCycle program was the speaker for the last Mora Mountain Mamas meeting held at Pizza Pro in Mora. Moss brought samples of the garments made by the women in the organization.

She told the group about the program that is helping the women in the area create unique fashions in a home industry. This green program saves the environment in the fact that discarded clothing that would be filling the landfill is put to use to help the women make extra money.

Important dates to keep in mind:
Saturday, March 23 – Seed exchange and sale of seedlings
Mora Little League Registration-
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Sunday March 24, Allsup’s
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Thursday, April 4, Mora Elementary School during Open House
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Saturday, April 6, Allsup’s
There will be no registrations accepted after April 6. Registration and medical forms will be available on registration days and at the Mora County Courthouse.

I happened to be in the right place at the right time when the noon train to California zipped by our Las Vegas railroad station. This passenger train used to be called the Chief. And there used to be four passenger trains that went from Chicago to Las Angeles daily on our beloved Santa Fe railroad.

New Mexico Highlands’ Donnelly Library was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities grant that includes the Muslim Journeys collection of materials.

Highlands was the only university in the state to receive the collection of 25 books, four films, and other resources that introduce the public to the complex history and culture of Muslims in the United States and globally.

The NEH developed Muslims Journeys in collaboration with the American Library Association.

SANTA FE — The House Education Committee has approved a measure aimed at encouraging diversity when it comes to book choices for New Mexico schools.
The nonbinding memorial got the OK on Wednesday. Earlier this week, it was the focus of a debate between sponsor Democrat Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas of Albuquerque and Republican Rep. Nora Espinoza of Roswell.